WWII Vets to Honor 95th Soldiers Who Served Overseas in the Global War on Terror

WWII Vets plan to present a special coin (rendering above) to 95th Soldiers who have participated in the Global War on Terrorism (GWOT). The presentation will be made to GWOT Soldiers in attendance at the 95th Association’s 64th Reunion in Arlington, Texas in August 2013. The coin recognizes their sacrifice and applauds their efforts to sustain the legacy of the Victory Division, said Maj. Gen. James E. Archer.

WWII veterans of the 95th Infantry Division have announced they will honor Soldiers of today’s generation in the 95th Division, who have served in Afghanistan, Iraq, and other overseas locations in the Global War on Terror (GWOT). This will be done at the 64th Reunion of the 95th Infantry Division Association set for August 7-11, 2013, in Arlington, Texas.

In December 2005, the 95th had its first overseas deployment as a unit since WWII. It was the beginning of a seven-year mission training Soldiers and units of the Afghan National Army (ANA). Soldiers, many of whom were instructors and drill sergeants, served as part of Embedded Training Teams, Mobile Training Teams and NATO Training Mission—Afghanistan (NTM-A). After ten iterations, the mission ended in 2012.

Since 2012, 95th Soldiers from task forces known as Scorpion and Griffon also deployed in support of NTM-A as advisors at various regional training centers in Afghanistan. Task Force Cobra Soldiers are set to deploy in 2013 as part of the same mission.

Maj. Gen. (Ret.) James E. Archer, president of the 95th Association and former commanding general of the 95th Division poses with Detachment 13 Soldiers during their deployment to Afghanistan from April 2006 until April 2007. These Soldiers are among the more than 500 Soldiers who will be honored at the Association’s 64th reunion set for August 2013 in Dallas/Fort Worth.

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Also among those to be honored are the first ever 95th female Soldiers to be deployed. One group of female drill sergeants deployed in 2010 and served as instructors for the first ANA Female Officer Candidate School.

Females were also among the many other 95th Soldiers who served in Iraq and other overseas areas, such as Djibouti, as Individual Mobilization Augmentees (IMA) or volunteers to round out other units. These unsung heroes joined unfamiliar units and, in many cases, experienced increased isolation as they served our Flag.

Maj. Gen. (Ret.) James E. Archer, president of the 95th Infantry Division Association and former commanding general of the Division said, “The Veterans are pleased to honor the current Soldiers and their sacrifices. As part of their gratitude, the Iron Men plan to present them with a special coin recognizing their sacrifice and applauding their efforts to sustain the legacy of the Victory Division. The Iron Men of Metz have shown continuing interest in the wartime service of current 95’ers, since the tragic events of 9/11. They are justly proud that these Soldiers have served, continuing a long and courageous tradition established by our Veterans of World War II in France, Belgium, and Germany.”

The Association’s plans for the reunion are currently underway. Archer said, “Soldiers who have been part of the GWOT history, overseas, should consult the 95th Infantry Division Association website, http://95divassociation.com/, for details on how they can participate in the Reunion and receive the recognition they deserve from their predecessors and comrades.”